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ARRANGED MARRIAGE
1. What are your feelings toward arranged marriages?
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answer choices |
f |
m |
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a. Arranged marriages should be banned because it does not involve
love.
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6 |
5 |
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b. Arranged marriages are good because parents are involved in choosing
the mate.
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0 |
2 |
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c. Arranged marriages are bad because the children are not allowed to
choose their own mate.
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11 |
4 |
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d. Other. Please Explain
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10 |
5 |
Answer (c) (Arranged marriages are bad because the children are not allowed
to choose their own mate) was chosen by eleven female respondents, and (a)
(Arranged marriages should be banned because it does not involve love) by six.
No female respondent selected (b) (Arranged marriages are good because parents
are involved in choosing the mate).
Ten female respondents were dissatisfied with the answer choices given and
selected (d) (Other). Many of their explanations for selecting (d) demonstrate
that they view arranged marriages as neither absolutely good nor bad:
· "They're good and bad
because parent choose quality people for their children to meet and after that
it's up to the children to decide their marriage or not."
· "I don't think it is bad
or good. It depends on the situation, but I don't think it works too well with
children raised in America. Children here are too independent and most prefer to
choose their own mate."
· "depends on if the
individual believes in arranged marriages."
· "There are always
advantages/disadvantages in arranged marriages. While it is good for the parents
to be involved in finding a good spouse for their children, it shouldn't have to
be that the parents should have all the power in choosing a marriage. I've
always had the impression based on my friend's experience with arranged
marriages that my friend never had a say in the arranged marriage process."
· "Arranged marriages are
good/bad. It depends on the circumstances of the two [individuals] who are
getting married. I truly believe that it depends on the situation. In some
cases, meeting the person may lead to marriage and many not. Some cases,
children do trust their parents' judgements."
· "arranged marriage can
be bad and good; however if kids have a say in it arranged marriages are
fine."
· "Neither bad nor good.
Can be good if the girls are allowed to make the ultimate decision."
· "Arrange marriage does
not work."
· "arrange marriage should
be change but a little open."
Answers (a) (Arranged marriages should be banned because it does not involve
love) and (c) (Arranged marriages are bad because the children are not allowed
to choose their own mate) were each selected by four male. Of the two male
respondents who selected (b) (Arranged marriages are good because parents are
involved in choosing the mate), one also selected (c) and (d) explaining
"Both views are semi-correct in a way. It is good to have the blessing of
the parent but also true to have a choice in choosing your own mate."
Male respondents who selected (d) (Other) stated:
· "anything is cool"
· "Neither good nor bad.
Depending on how a person was raised will depend on their opinion. I, myself,
would prefer to find my own mate."
· "Arranged marriages are
good only when both parties consent. Parents and children must agree on
decision. Parents sometimes know best."
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2. Would you agree with your parents' decision to have an arranged marriage?
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answer choices |
f |
m |
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a. Yes, I trust my parents' judgments.
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0 |
0 |
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b. Yes, but only until I meet the person.
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9 |
5 |
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c. No, I am against arranged marriages.
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10 |
4 |
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d. No, I could/would not love the person.
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4 |
2 |
No respondents selected (a) (Yes, I trust my parents' judgments). Male and
female respondents answered this question in remarkably similar proportion. Nine
female and five male respondents selected (b) (Yes, but only until I meet the
person). Ten female and four male respondents selected (c) (No, I am against
arranged marriages), and four female and two male respondents selected (d) (No,
I could/would not love the person). One male respondent wrote in his own answer
stating: "I'm not against arranged marriages but would rather not have it
for myself."
Note: The answers to this question may actually reflect differing
conceptualizations of arranged marriages. Those who appear more amenable to
arranged marriages may perhaps view them as merely an arrangement by parents to
meet a person, whereas those who flatly state that they are against arranged
marriages may perhaps view it in the sense in which they would have no say in
the matter. A clarification of the definition of arranged marriages for this
question would have helped, i.e., whether the question refers to arranged
marriages where the children have no say or arranged marriages where the
children are first consulted (the form most common in traditional Khmer
culture). Furthermore, the answer choice (b) (Yes, but only until
[after] I meet the person) may perhaps be construed by some respondents as
simply a willingness to meet and date a person introduced to them by their
parents and not necessarily consent to an actual immediate marriage.
Correlations:
Q1
answers
a Arranged marriages should be banned because it does not involve love.
b Arranged marriages are good because parents are involved in choosing
the mate.
c Arranged marriages are bad because the children are not allowed to
choose their own mate.
d Other. Please Explain
Q2 answers
a Yes, I trust my parents' judgments.
b Yes, but only until I meet the person.
c No, I am against arranged marriages.
d No, I could/would not love the person.
Most individuals who selected answers to Question 1 which suggested a
negative impression of arranged marriages (i.e., answers 'a' or 'c') predictably
selected answers to Question 2 which stated that they were personally against
arranged marriages or could/would not love the person. However, two women and
one man who suggested that they were against arranged marriages by choosing 'a'
or 'c' in answer to Question 1 actually allowed for the possibility of meeting a
person chosen by their parents by selecting 'b' in their answer to
Question 2. Since many of the respondents who chose 'Other' in answer to Question
1 stated that arranged marriages could be both "good and bad," not
surprisingly most also demonstrated an openness to the possibility of parental
involvement in arranging a marriage by selecting 'b' in answer to Question 2.
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3. The divorce rates among married Khmer couples in the United States is
increasing. While back in Cambodia the idea of divorce seldom occurs. What do
you think are the causes? (Choose all that apply)
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answer choices |
f |
m |
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a. Women have gained economic independence.
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17 |
7 |
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b. Traditional values have declined.
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8 |
7 |
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c. Khmer society in America has less respect for marriages.
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8 |
4 |
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d. Arranged marriages have declined.
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6 |
4 |
Among women, six selected (a) exclusively, three selected (d) exclusively,
and two selected all the choices. Among men, two selected (a) exclusively, two
selected (b) exclusively, and two selected (c) exclusively. One male respondent
selected all the choices.
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